Beverage dispensing machine



11 Sheets-Sheet l B. E. MILLS BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE Oct. 21, 1952 Filed Sept. 28, 1948 in n Illl JZ Z'Zar/ y Oct. 21, 1952 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 28, 1948 9 lllll ll 5 02a L 0 Q a a m 4 t 2 m H. m m m 4 m o z 2 Y A l rlnndllll Ill-Ill LII-Ill WU mu Q Jiy:

Oct. 21, 1952 B. E. MILLS 2,614,738

BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1948- 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 551 Ohm w Oct. 21, 1952 B. E. MILLS BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 28, 1948 to z 2 J5 Q E Oct. 21, 1952 B. E. MILLS BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 28, 1948 Oct. 21, 1952 B. E. MILLS BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Sept. 28, 1948 Oct. 21, 1952 B. E. MILLS BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Sept. 28, 1948 191%? 1 0]".- Zer'z Z/VIZZs Oct. 21, 1952 B, E WLLS 2,614,738

BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1948 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 Oct. 21, 1952 B. E. MILLS BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1948 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Patented Oct. 21, 1952 I 2,614,738 BEVER GE DISPENSING-MACHINE Bert'E Mills, St.-C;harles, 111;, assignor to'Th'eBert, 7 Mills Corporation, Chicago, Ill.,'a corporation :of. Illinois stati September 28, 1948, Serial No. 1, 51 8 This invention relates to a beverage dispensing machine of a type particularly adapted for vending coffee although in certain respects the invention is also applicable to the vending of other beverages or'like products. More specifically, the present inventionfrel'ates to improvemerits in a beverage dispensing machine, prefer: ably coin-operated, which, upon activation by a customer, may automatically 1 position a cup; measure and mix the ingredients for'the bever- ,27Claims. (o1. 225-:21).

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the machine showing the general arrangement of the various parts thereof 'withinthe cabinet, a l'ower front panel having been removed from said cabinet and afront door on said cabinet being. open position; v

Fig. 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view of shown in an the machine takensubstantially on the line 3-3 in -Fig. 2 to show, in 'further detail; the arrangeage, and discharge the finished drink into said i An object of the invention is to provide in a beverage dispensing machine of the above char- .acter improved and simplified meansfor measuring the. liquid ingredientLfor a beverage, discharging the measured liquid ingredient into a mixing receptacle, and thereupon adding tosaid liquid ingredient powderedzor other ingredients for the drink while said liquid ingredient is in motion within said mixing receptacle. 7

provide in a beverage dispensing machine of the aforesaid character an improved meansfor measuring the second ingredient for the beverage and for ejecting the same into the liquid ingredient therefor. I Still another object of the invention is to pro vide, in a beverage dispensing, machine of the kind aforesaid, a simple and reliable means for activating the means .for measuring and ejectingthe second ingredient forthe various beverages.

- A further object of the'inventionis to provide :an effective means for preventing moisture icontamination of the supply of. the aforesaid second ingredient and themechanism for measuringand ejecting the same.

Still another object of wide in a beverage dispensing machine .ofthe above character an improved and sanitary means the invention is to profor collecting the beverage'which maybe spilled or wasted in dispensing the'samasaid collecting means being utilized to make the machineinoperative when a predetermined amount of the spilled beverage has been collected.

' A still further object-of the-invention is to provide'in a beverage dispensing machine of the aforesaid description means whereby the liquid measuring and dry ingredientstorage, measuring and ejecting apparatuses therein, may -be-quick- -ly removed, separately or 'collectively,--from. a.

'i Fig. 12 is another fragmentary elevational view '7 cabinet therefor to facilitate inspection and h -ma h ne.-

7 door of said cabinet;

"ment of the parts of said machine within the cabinet;

' Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sec- I tional view taken on the line 4-4 in Fig. 2 to illustrate certain structural details ofia closure for a beverage discharge Opening which is provided in a rear wall of adispensing stage located on the Fig. 5 is a fragmentary'vertic'al cross-sectional View taken on the line"5--5 inFig. 4 to further illustrate the construction of said closure.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectionalview taken Another object of the present invention is to u s l -fi i fFi 2170 illustrate a portion of the structure for storing and for "selectively dispensing various dry ingredients for beverages;

"Fig. '7 is a vertical"cross-sectional taken I substantially on the line 1+ in Fig. 6 to show 7 in further detail thestoring and dispensing mech anism for the beverage --ingredients and-to illustrate. the arrangement .of a blower by which vapors may 'be removed from a trough within I which the dry ingredients may be mixed with a ingredient 'dispensing' mechanism" and' the arrangement of said blower;

Fig. '9is a vertical cross-sectional view taken 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line I'll-HI in Fig. 7' to show a J .v means for operating closures for openings through which the dry beverage ingredients are dispensed from storage hoppers therefor;

Fig. 11 is afragmentaryelevational view taken onthelin'e l;ll l in Fig. 10;

showing in detail the construction of a springloaded shut-off valve for the machine of my in- 'venti'on Fig. 14 is a fragmentary asimilar view taken on' the line 8-.8 in Fig. '7 to bring out further the details of the dry I Fig.-l3isa-siniilar view of said valve taken from' the right of Fig. 12; a a

V cross-sectional view of a liquid measuring cup, apparatus comprising themachine h *rejector, as at 39.

thereon as by a cotter key 52 (Fig. 13).

As thus. illustrated, the machine-of my inven-' tion is embodied in a cabinet, shown generally at "28, having mounted on the upper portion of the front thereof, as by a piano-type hinge 2| (Fig. 2), 'a' door 22. The lower portion of the front of the cabinet may be enclosed by a removable panel 23,

and the remainder of the cabinet may comprise a v top 24, a base 25 of any suitable construction, sides 26 and 21, and a back 23.. In the front of the door may be suitably mounted acoin-receiving slot 29 above and below which may be arranged warning lights 33 and 3 I showing, respectively, suitable. words when illuminated, such as fUs'e -nickels only or, Use nickels, dimes, or quarters. Opposite the coin-receiving slot on the door. may be arranged selector buttons 32, 33, 34

customer to cause a beverage of his choice to be mixed and dispensed by the machine in a manner hereinafter described. A housing 35' may be employedonthe'rear side of the door to cover electricalswitchesor contacts operated by the pressing of said button. Descriptions of the available beverages may be posted in the spaces 36 beside the selectorbuttons, if desired.

; Withthe .door closed, as in Fig. 1, a coin inserted into the coin. receiver 29 may be conducted by a.'chute 3'! (Fig. ,2) to a counterfeit coin rejector, shown, generally at 38, from which genuine coins requiring change .may pass down wardly into-a coin changer arranged below the Change dispensed from the changer may beconducted by means of a coin .chute lfi, to a receptacle 4iv mounted on the face of the door wherein said change will be accessible to a customer. Coins retained in payment for beverage'dispensed by the machine may drop from the coin rejector 38 or the changer 39 into a-cash box 42. If desired, coin-return apparatus of .any suitable type (not shown) may be employed in conjunction with the coin rejector to cause the return of a coin to a customer by the operation of a coin-return lever 43 provided on the face of the door above the receptacle 4|.

Within the cabinet are housed the various parts which comprise the mechanism for mixing, measuring and dispensing the various beverages.

- From a source of water under pressure, such as and 35 which maybe selectively operated by a a city water supply, water is conducted into the 1 interior of the cabinet through a pipe 44 which passes through the back 28 of said cabinet. to a plunger-type valve 45 mounted on a bracket 46 which is in turn fixed, as by welding or otherand is secured thereto, as by nuts 49 and 50 disposed on opposite sides of the bracket (Figs. 12 and 13). An arm 5| of U-shaped or other suitable cross-section is pivotally mounted, adjacent one of its ends, upon the bolt 48 and secured A heavy coil-type tension spring 53 is attached at one of its ends to a pin 54, which is passed through the arm 5|, and at its other end to an eye bolt 55 fixed to the channel 41 whereby the. arm 5| is normally supported in the diagonal position best shown in Fig. 12. An opening 56 (Fig. 13) is provided in the arm 5| to receive a plunger 57 of the valve '45, and on the upper end of the plunger is fixed a ring 58 which is also attached to the arm. A groove 59 may be provided in the arm 5| adjacent its uppermost end and the bail 60 of an ordinary bucket 5| may be supported therein. Adjacent the lower end of the arm 5|, a

plunger-type electrical switch 62 may be attached'to the bracket 46, as by mounting screws 63, in a position in line with the lower end of said arm.

It will be understood that under normal conditions the spring 53 will retain the arm 5| in the position shown in the drawings. However, when the liquid contents of the bucket 6|. reaches a predetermined volume, the weight of said bucket n In order to retain the arm in its pivoted "position and to thus keep the valve 45 closed and the switch 62 open until the contents of the bucket have been emptied, means is provided for automatically locking the arm in the pivoted position. To this'end a bracket 65 is attached to the outermost endof the bracket 46 as by studs 56. A pivot pin 6'! is fixed to the bracket 65 and pivotally suspended therefrom is a latch'68 which normally rests against one side of the arm 5| in the position shown in Fig. 13. When said arm is pivoted in a clockwise direction, as above described, the latch 68 will be free to swin to a vertical positionin which a notch 69 on said latch will enga e the arm 5| and prevent the spring 53 from returning said arm to its normal position until the latch has been manually disengaged from the arm.

With the arm 5| in the normal position shown in the drawings, the valve 45 will be open as aforesaid, and water reaching said valve through the pipe 44 will be free to flow through the valve and through a pipe 10 to a water filter 1| which may be of any suitable commercial construction. From the water filter said water flows through a pipe 12, through a one-way valve 13, and thence into aT-joint 74 (Fig. 16) Attached toone side of the 'T-joint is a pipe I5 which conducts said water into an automatic electric water heater 16 of commercial design, disposed on the base 25 of the cabinet and provided with a suitable thermostat (not shown) for keeping water therein at a predetermined temperature. Said water heater maybe provided at its lower end with a drain-cock 71 through which the water therein .may be drained whenever necessary for purposes of repair and the like.

Attached tothe other side of the T-joint 14 is another pipe 18 which leads to a cushion tank l9 which is partially filled with air and thus compensates for any expansion of the water due to the heatingof the latter in the water heater. An air valve is provided at the upper end of the cushion tank whereby the supply of air therein may be replenished or removed as may be necessary A pressure safety valve 8| is provided in a pipe 82 leading from and supported by the hot water heater. Any steam or hot water released from said heater through the safety valve is conducted by a tube 83 from the valve to the bucket 6| suspended on the arm 5|.

A second pipe 84 conducts hot water from the water heater 16 to :a T-joint 85 from which a return pipe 86 will return said water to the heater. It willbe understood that the pipes 84 and 85, with the T-joint 85, provide a circuit the slide back to its closed position, a stop'l30 determining said position. a I

Anopening I3I is provided in the slide I21 for a purpose which will hereinafter be explained.

Returning now to the measuring cup 89 (Figs. 14 and 15)., it will be noted that although the elbow 88 has a fixed position, the cup does not. Inasmuch as said cup is fixed to the aforesaid upright member 93, which is in turn fixedin a suitable manner to the frame 94, said cup will be removed along with said frame when the latter is pulled forward on the rails 91 and 98 and removed from thecabinet as aforesaid. There is nohydraulic connection between the elbow" 88 andsaid cup, but rather, the water passing from the elbow falls freely from the latter: into the cup through the opening SI therein when the frame is in the operative positionshown in the drawings. In this manner the pressure of theuwat'eris completely dissipated as it drops into the cup- If desired, a cylindrical ventirlating screen I (Fig. 14) suspended from a washer I3B,;of rubber or the like, fixediabout the lowerportion of the elbow 88, may be arranged between the elbow and the top SI of z the cup- 89 to prevent the water, in dropping into saidcup, from becoming contarninatedby dust and the like. A flange I31 may be. fixed upon the base of the screen I35, said flangebeing in sliding contact with the top 9| of the cup so as not to obstruct the removal of said cup from the cabinet along with the frame 94.

Fixed to the top SI of the measuring cup 89 is a vertically disposed bracket I38 upon which is mounted a solenoid I39 having an armature I40. A tension springMI is attached at one of its ends to the armature I40 and at its other end to an arm I42 of a small bell-crank (shown generally at I43) which is pivotally mounted in a vertical position upon a pivotpinv I44 threaded into or otherwise secured upon the bracket I38. Another arm I45 of the bell-crank has formed on its extremity a bearing surface I46 which is in contact with the upper surface of a head I41 secured to the top of a vertical plunger'rod I48. A bracket I49 is formed on the bracket .138 and occupies a position below the arm I45 of the bellcrank I43. Said plunger rod I48 is slidably mounted in the bracket I49 and extends downwardly through the top!!! of the cup 89 into the interior of an outlet nipple I50 which is mounted in a water-tight manner in the bottom I5I of the cup which is formed to receive said nipple. The upper end of the nipple I50 may havea flange I52 formed thereon, and between said flange and the interiorof the bottom i5I of the cup may be a washer I53 of rubber or the like. A nut I54,

- threaded upon the exterior of the nipple and screwed tightly against the exterior of the bottom I5I of the cup, may be employed to prevent the leakage of water past the flange I52 of the nipple. The upper end of the nipple I50has a valve seat I55 formed therein and a tapered valve ring I56, of rubber or the like, is fixed upon the plunger rod I48 adjacent its lower end in a position to be seated on the valve seat I55 when the rod is lowered to the position shown in Fig. 14-. Above the valve ring 556 a float I51 is slidably mounted upon the rod I48 and above said float is a bushing I58 also slidably arranged on said rod, the bushing being normally supported by a lip in the bottom I5I of "said cup. To thelower end of the overflow. pipe may be fitted a rubber I58 formed onthe top thereof which rests upon the upper surface of the top SI of the cup.

Disposed about the plunger rod I48 between the-bracket I49 and the head I41 is a comprestube I (Fig. 2) which will direct all water entering the overflow pipe to the bucket 6I.

Attached to the lower end of the nipple I50 is a pipe I66 which may pass downwardly, through an opening I61 in the upright member 93 (Fig. 9), to a nozzle I68 which extends through and is fixed to the rear of the horizontal plate I01.

The lower tip of said nozzle is curved diagonally downward and has therein a slot-like orifice I89 through whichwater entering the pipe I66 from the measuring cup 89 will be discharged.

Said lower tip of the nozzle is received by an open rear end'of abeverage mixing trough, shown generally at' I10, which comprises a bottom I" slopin 'down from said nozzle and two vertical sides'I'lZ and I13 (Figs? and 9). The side I13 has on its upper horizontal edge a lip I14 which is slidably received and supported by a rail I15 which is mounted-,- as by screws, on the lower side of-the plate 601 (Fig. 7'). The other side I12-has formed on its upper horizontal edge a similar lip I16 which is similarly received and supported by a rail I11 which is secured, as by screws, to the lower side of a horizontal.ventilating'duct I18, the latter of which is mounted, as by screws, on the lower side of the plate I01 and extends along substantially the entire length of the trough I10. The lower and forward end of the trough is open (Fig. 9) and removably secured thereto, as by thumb screws I19, is ,a liquid receiving nozzle I80, of funnel shape, which conforms to the conbeverage discharge pipe I82 which leads down- .wardly to a position immediately to the rear of the rear wall I20 of the vending stage opposite the opening I24 therein when the door 22 of the cabinet is closed. (See Fig. 4.)

Inasmuch as the mixing trough I10 is slidably mounted upon and supported by'the rails I15 and I11, it will'readily be seen that, when the door 22 of the cabinet is open, said trough may be pulled forward andremoved from the machine together with 'thenozzle I and the beverage discharge pipe I82 without requiring the removal of other parts. This is an important object of the inventionand greatly simplifies the cleaning of the trough and beverage discharge pipe, thus adding to cleanliness ofthe apparatus. If desired, a handle I83 (Fig. 9) may be secured to the forward end of said trough as an aid in its removal.

It will be understood that all water discharged from the measuring cup 89 past the valve ring I56 therein will enter the mixing trough I 10, pass therethrough, and be discharged from the lower end of the beverage discharge pipe I82 through the opening I24 in the rear wall I20 of the vending stage and into a cup II4 which will have been positioned as aforesaid. Any. liquid which may thereafter drip from the lower end of from within said cabinet.

trough I10. an opening I90 therein between the blower I85 and the ventilating duct I18.

slots :94 in said flanges 292.

provided withanopening I95 (Fig. 9) which cor-.. responds to' the opening I90, in the conduit, and

the beverage discharge pipe I 82191111 drop through .the opening I-3I .(Fig. eyrin'itherslide I21 (when the latter has been returned to its closedxposition) and fall downwardly into the bucket BI.

.It will thus be seen that unsightly and messy pools ofbeverage which "might ordinarily result from drippings from the beverage discharge pipe are avoided by the unusual positioning of, the

I lower end of the latter to the'rear of the rear wall I20 of the vendingstage, above the opening I3I in the slide I21-,anddirectly-above the bucket GI.

Suspended from the support member I00,of

the frame 94 (Figs. '1 and 8 as by a bracket I84, is a rotary air-blower I85-driven by a motor I88.

From a discharge opening in the casing of said the air moved by the blower may be expelled I From the intake side of the blower an air-conduitISB leads upwardly .to' the horizontal ventilating duct I18, the latter of which is provided with openings I89 (Fig. 9) into the space within and above, the. mixing The air-conduit I88 is provided with On a level with said opening a plate ,I9I (Fig. 9), having side flanges I92 (Fig. '1), is adjustably mounted upon the conduit as. by screws I 93 which are threaded into the sides of the conduit and pass through Said plate I9Iv is on the side flanges I92 are formed ears I96 which Increased cleanliness in the operation of the. machine is thus obtained.

mem ers 201 and 20a, as bygthumb screws 2I0 (Fig. 6), are three castmembers'. (See Fig. 8.) I vided with a horizontal inner fioor 2IB (Fig. '1)

and secured to the latter,

ings shown'generally at 2I I, 2I2 and 2I3. The

upper portions of said castings are generally square in cross-section and skirts 2I4 are provided onopposite sides thereof, which fit down over the sides of the base members 201 and 208, and have slots 2 I 5 therein for receiving the thumb screws .2I0 which may be threaded in said base Said castings are proand with raised-flanges 2I1 about the four sides of saidfioor. A well 2 I0 is formed in the central portion of each of said floors 2I6, said wells ex- .blower an air discharge pipe I81 leads rearwardly through the rear-wall 28 of the cabinet whereby tending downwardly between the base members I 201ajnd 208 (Fig. 9).

Bottomless hoppers M9, 220 and HI, of square cross-section, are adapted to fit down within the.

flanges M1 on the castings 2, H2 and 2I3, re-

spectively, and to rest on the floors 2I6 thereof.

Each of said hoppers maybe provided with thumb screws. 222 on opposite sides thereof, which, when tightened, may bereceived in countersunk notches provided therefor in, the flanges 2I1, thus removably'securingsaid hoppers to the castings. 'Said hoppers may also be providedwith suitable lids 223 for protecting the powdered ingredients for beverages which may be placed therein, as will be hereinafter more fully depivotally support a horizontal pin I91 (Figs. 7 I and 9). A gate I98,- having ears I99 form'edi thereon, is pivotally mounted on said pin I91. A

solenoid I99, having an armature 200, is fixed upon the plate I9I and a tension spring I has one of its ends attached to the armature and its other and secured to the uppermost edge of the gate 598.

be drawn downward topivot the gate I98 to a position closing thepassage through the conduit I88 to the ventilating duct I18 and creating a free passage from the interior of the cabinet into the conduit.

In practice, the motor I86 drives the blower I85 at all times. Normally the solenoid I99 is de-energized and the blower, it will thus be understood, normally removes warmv or moist air from the interior of the mixing trough I10. Upon the section. Said base members are secured together I at their forward ends by a spacer rod 209 which is riveted to each and serves as a handle by means of which the base members may be pulled forward on the plate I01, which supports-said members, and thus be removed therefrom and from the uide rails 206. When the door of the cabinet is open, it will be understood that said base members 201 and 208 may be pulled forward or removed as asingle unit.

Resting upon the uppersurfaces of the base a pin 226 fixed therebetween (Fig. 8). the-endof the shaft and intersecting the axis scribed.

On" the end of the horizontal drive shaft III driven by the motor IIO, as herein described, are fixed a pair of cams 224 and 225 which are separated each from the other by a space and have Adjacent of the latter isa vertical bar 221, of square crosssection, which arranged to be moved up and down; --'I'he upper end of said bar is supported in an opening provided therefor in a support plate 228-firmly'secured,as by screws, to the, plate I01.

The lower end of said bar is similarly supported It will thus be seen that when the solenoid I99 is energized, the armature 200 will in a support plate 229 fixed to the support member I00 of the frame 94. On the side of the bar I 221', adjacent the end of the shaft'III, are pivotallyfixed two spaced rollers 230 and MI which are adapted to ride on the cams 224 and 225, re-

9 spectively. It will thus be understood that as the drive shaft III is turned by the motor H0,- the bar 221 will be moved up and down by the action of the cams 220 and 225 on the rollers 230 I and23I (Fig. 8). It will also be apparent that said bar will be moved through one complete cycl upon each revolution of the drive shaft.

A shaft 232- is bearinged in two hanger brackets 2.33 which may be spotwelded or otherwise firmly secured to the web I05. Collars 23 3 may be fixed to the shaft on opposite sides of said brackets to take up axial forces which may be applied to the shaft (Fig. 8). Supported by said shaft, and fixed thereto by a pin 235 (Fig. 6), is a rocker member 236, theoutermost end of which is bifurcated to receiverwithin the bifurcation a roller 231 which is rotatably fixed on a sideof the vertical bar 221 (Fig: '7) Thus, as the bar 221 is moved up and down in-the rotation. of the drive shaft m, the

shaft 232 is rocked back and forth by the action of the roller 231; on the rocker member 236; At equally spaced intervals along the side of "theweb I05 are three clutch solenoids 239, 239

, and 240, each being fixed upon the web as by screws or the like (not shown), and each being provided with an armature 24! (Fig. 8). To the left of each of said armatures, as viewed in Fig.

8, rs a horizontal pin 242 which is fixed'in any suitable manner to a mounting plate 243 fixedly suspended from each of said solenoids (Fig. 7).

Pivotally mounted upon each of the pins 242 is an arm 244, each of which arms is pivotally attached at one end to the lower end of one of the armatures 24I. At the opposite end of each of the arms 244 is attached the lower end of a tension spring 245, said sprin having its upper end firmly secured to the web I95 in any suitable manner (Fig. 8). An L-shaped bracket 246 is also pivotally mounted on each pin 242 and secured thereon as by a cotter pin 241,-each of said brackets 246 being fixed, as by riveting (not shown), to the corresponding arm 244. At the uppermost end of each of the brackets 246 is-rotatably mounted a roller 248 which rides between the legs of a U-shaped clutch member 249 which is slidably mounted on the shaft 232. Immediately adjacent each of the U-shaped clutch members 249 and fixedly mounted upon the shaft 232 is a J -shaped clutch member 259. Passed horizontally through both legs of each of the U-shaped clutch members 249, adjacent their outer ends, is a clutch pin 25!. Each of said clutch pins is fixed in the correspondin clutch member 249 as bycotter pins 252. One end of each of said clutch pins is tapered, as at 253, and the opposite end of leg of the corresponding J-shaped clutch member 259 adjacent its outer end. Loosely mounted upon the shaft 232, to the right of the tapered end of each of the pins 25I (as seen in Fig. 8), is an ejector arm 254, each of which arms is provided with a hole 255 therein for receiving the'adjacent pin 25'I. Suitable collars 256, fixed to the shaft 232 on opposite sides of the ejector arm 254", may be provided for preventing axial sliding of said arms on said shaft (Figs. 6 and 8).

From the foregoing description of the solenoids into the opposing hole 255 in the arms. While this condition exists, it will be seen that any rotative motion of the shaft 232 will be transmitted through the J-shaped clutch member 259 to the pin 25I and the arm 254 will thus be caused to move with the shaft. It will therefore be understood that as the shaft 232 rotates back and forth upon each rotation of the drive shaft I I I, as here inbefore described, any one of the ejector arms 254 may be selectively caused to move with the shaft 232 by energizing the proper solenoid 238, 239 or 249. I

Upon the upper end of each of the ejector arms 254 is pivotally mounted a latch bracket 251 of inverted U-shaped cross-section (Figs. '7 and 8). Slots 258 are provided in the vertical walls of each of the latch brackets and are adapted to receive a pin 259 fixed horizontally between the legs of a yoke 269, the latter of each of which is fixed upon one end of a horizontal plunger rod 26L If desired, a stud 262 may be threaded into the top of each yoke, an upon each of said studs may be pivotally arranged a securing plate 263 which will extend overthe adjacent end of the corresponding latch bracket 251. Each of said securing plates may be held in this position by a I each of said pins is slidably mounted in the longer 1'2 finger-nut 264threaded onthe stud 262, each of said nuts being tightened down upon the plate in suitable bearing holes provided thereforin the adjacent skirts 2I4 of the castings 2I I, and attached to the opposite end of each rod is a plunger 265. Said plungers 265 are supported in bearing holes provided therefor in the sides of the wells 2 I8 formed in the floors 2 I6 of the castings 2| I. Upon the upper sides of each of the plungers is attached, as by a screw, a yoke 266 about each leg of which may be fastened a coil spring 261 (Figs. 6, '1 and 10). A horizontally disposed wire frame 268, of generally square shape, may also be secured to each of said yokes at the ends thereof. 7

It will be apparent that when one of the clutch solenoids 238, 239 or 249 has been energizedand the motor I I6 is driving the shaft I I I to rock the shaft 232 in the manner heretofore described, the ejector arm 254 corresponding to the clutch solenoid whichhas been energized will transmit reciprocal motion to the attached plunger rod 26I through the latch bracket 251 and the-yoke 269 on said plunger rod. The plunger 265, attached to the end of the plunger rod, will likewise be reciprocated within the well 2I8 of the casting 2II,2I2 or 2I3, as thecase maybe.

Suspended from'the bottom of each of the castings 2 I I, 2 I2 and 2 I3, to one side of the well 2I8 therein, is a pivot pin 269 (Figs. 9 and 10).

Pivotally mounted upon each of said pivot pins is a dispensing door 219, each of which doors is spring-loaded by means of a coil spring 21I disposed about the pin. One end of each of the springs 21! lies against the end of the door 219 and the other end of each spring lies against a fin 212 which protrudesfrom the adjacent and ,the round openings in the wells normally occupied by the free ends of the plungers 265 (Fig. 10). Below each of the doors 210 a rectangolar opening 213 is provided in the, plate I 91 directly above the mixing trough I19.

On the upper surface of the base member 95 of the frame 94 and adjacent the rear thereof, is fixed, as by screws, a bracket 214 upon which is mounted a solenoid 215 having an armature 216. (See Figs. 10 and 1 1.) On a skirted edge of the plate I91 is fixed a horizontally disposed pivot pin 211 upon which is pivotally mounted a bellcrank 218, one arm of which is pivotally secured to the armature 216 of the solenoid 215. The otherarm of the bell-crank extends upwardly through a slot 219 in the plate I91.

On the inner side of the base member 291, opposite the dispensing doors 219, is slidably mounted a dispensing door operating slide 289 which may be mounted upon said base member 291, as by mounting bolts 28I, which may be received by longitudinal slots (not shown) in the slide and may be fixedly secured to the base member as by nuts 282 (Fig. 10). The slide 289 extends over substantially the entire length of the base member 291, and adjacent each of the dispensing doors 219 isprovided with a bracket 283 adapted to engage an activating pin 284 which protrudes from each door adjacent its pivot pin 269. On the rear end of the slide 289 is fixed a horizontally disposed pin 285 which passes through and rides in a slot 286 in the vertical wall amass o! the base member 201. A 0011 tension spring'281 hasone of its ends secured to, the pin 285 and its other end fastened to the rear end of said base member 201. It will thus be understood that the spring 2-81 tends to retain the slide 28ll in a rearmost position with the brackets 283 thereon disengaged from the activating pins 284 on the dispensing doors 210. I

The forward edge of the arm of the bell-crank 2118 which extends upwardly through the slot 219 in the base member 201, rides on'the rear side of the horizontal pin 2-85,. It will therefore" be readily understood that when the solenoid :215 is activated and the armature 216 thereof is moved .in a downward direction (viewing Fig. 11), the

bell-crank 218 will be pivoted on the pivot pin 2'11 and will be forced against the horizontalpin 285=to overcome the tension of the spring 281 and move the slide 280 forwardly. This movement of the" slide bringsthe brackets 283 thereon into contact with the activating pins284 on the dispensing doors 210 to overcome the tension of the v springs 21-! and-thus open'said doors to the position shown bythe broken lines in Fig. 10; When the solenoid 215' is de-energized, the spring 281 returns the slide 280 to its rearward'and normal position out "of engagement with the activating pins 284 on the doors 210, and the spriri'gsZ-ll cause said doors 210 to return to their'normal positions, closing the openings in the walls'of the wells 218. v

A cam member 288 ,is fixed upon the shaft 232 in any suitable manner and, in the movement of said shaft, serves to operate a master relay control switch289, of a double throw type, whichmay be mounted upon a bracket 29!), secured, as by screws, upon the frame member I .of the frame 9.4 (Figs-6 and 8). v

The embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings is particularly well adapted for selectively mixing and vending a variety of warm drinks. For example, a mixtureof powdered coffee and dehydrated cream may be placedin the hopper 12.19, powdered sugar in the hopper 220, and plain powdered coffee in the hopper 22!.

When this combination of dry. ingredients is provided in said hoppers, the machine of my invention will, in a. manner to be hereinafter more fully explained, mix and vend black coffee, black cofiee with sugar, coffee with cream, or coffee with cream andqsugar. Fig. 17, which is about .to

be described, shows an electrical circuit suitable for use in conjunction with my beverage dispensing machine when the same is employed toselectively mix andvend-cofieeas aforesaid. However,

the illustrated electrical circuit may be varied by oneskilled in the art to alter the sequence of op- ,erationof the various parts of the machine,-and

it imust not be understood from 'Fig. 17, or from the following description thereof, that the ma chine is limited to the mixing and vending of coffee. On the contrary,v the machine of my in vention, with certain variations. which willin part b hereinafter pointed out, may be adapted to selectively mix and vend any drink .or drinks 'which may b comp un ed y'mixlng soluble dry ingredients in a liquid ingredient forsaid drink or drinks.

When my machine is employed for dispensing coffee, as aforesaid, electric current may be supplied to the machine from a suitable power source (not shown) by means of two lead lines '300 and 3!. The electric water heate' r may be electrically disposed across these two lines,

ilk-maybe placed series 'sozthat "all current will be cut" off from" the machine, and said machine will'thus be made inoperative,- when the supply of cups has been deleted and the switch H8 has been opened, or-when'thef accumulation of spilled b'everage in the bucket BI has become great: enough to overcome the tension of the spring 53 and has caused the armflr to pivot to open the switch 62.

Upon the insertion of a .proper coin into the coin-receiver 29 on the face of the door "22' of the cabinet Z-O, saidjcoin will 'dropdow'nwardly through the coin chute'3l and into the counter 'feit coin rejector 3 8' and thence-into thexcoin changer 39 wherein said coin will momentarily 5 close a coin switch 302 in a line 393 running from the ,lead line 300 to one side of a master relay solenoid MIA-which has connected to its other side a line 305'running tothe line 30L Aline 306 also ,runsfrom the line 303 adjacent the -m'aster relay solenoid-304 to'one side of the measuring cup solenoid I39, the other side of which isv connected to the lead line 30f by means 7 of a line" 381. It will thus be understood that uponthe momentary closing of the coin switch 302, the master-relay solenoid 3M and the measuring. cup solenoid I39 will be energized. The lattersolenoid will immediately pivot'the bellcrank I43. above the measuring cup to overcome the compression spring 150 and move the plunger 7 rod M8 downwardlyto seat the valve I56 on the valve seat I at the bottom of-the measuring.

cup. Simultaneously, the master relay solenoid will close switches 3fi8and 309 thereon, the latter of which will closea secondary circuit-to the master relay solenoid and to themeasuring cup solenoid I39. Said secondary circuit comprises: a line 310 which extends from a secondary lead line 3| I, attached to the lead line 390, to the middle leaf of the master relay controlswitch 289 which is normally closed as shown in Fig. 1'7; a line 3 l 2 extending from the normally closed side of the master relay switch-289 to one side of the switch 309 and another line 3l3 running from the other side-of the switch 309 to the line 306. It will be apparent, therefore, that the master relay solenoid 384 and the measuring cup solenoid 139' will remain energized'until the norand in the line 300 the cutlofl switches 62* "and 7 5 one side of another normally closed switch 318.

From the other side of the switch 3H3 a line 319 extends to a line 32!] which is connected to one :side of each of three selector switches 32I 32.2

and 323.

From the switch 32! a line 324 extends to one side of a relay solenoid 325, to one side of the clutch solenoid.238 and toone side of a switch 326, the latter of which is operatable by the relaysolenoid325. F'rom, the'switch322 a line 321 extends to one side of anotherrelay. ,solenoid 328, to one side .of the clutch solenoid 240, andto one side of aswitch 325 which corresponds ;to the switch 32 and is operatable by :the relay solenoid 328. From thev switch' 32 3 a line 330 extends to one side of still another" relay solenoid 33!, oneside of the clutch"sole mid -239, and to one side of a' normallyppen switch- 332 which corresponds to the switches 326 and 329'and' which is operatable, by the relay solenoid 33!. A common line .333 extends between the other-sides of the relay solenoids 325, 328 and 33! and the other sides of the clutch solenoids 238, 248 and 238.- From theline 333 another line 334 extends to the lead line .30 I. will thus beapparent that when themaster relay solenoid 333 has beenenergized in the manner above described, the switches 32!, 322 and 323 will be operatable respectively and selectively to'energize the relay solenoid 325 and the clutch solenoid 238, the relay solenoid 328 and the clutch solenoid 240, and the relaysolenoid- 33! and the clutch solenoid 239. I As .above described, a mixture of powdered coffee and dehydrated cream may be placed,v for example, in the hopper 2I9, powdered sugar may be placed in the hopper 220, and plain powdered coffee maybe placed in the hopper 22!. means well known in the art and therefore not shown, the four selector buttons 32, 34 and .35, on the face'of the door 22 of the cabinet 20, may be arranged to operate the switches 32 I, 322 and 323. If, for example, the operation of the button 32 is desired to cause the dispensing of black coffee, said button may be caused, upon tion of the relay solenoids 328 and 33! and the clutch solenoids 239 and 240. If the'button 35 is desired, upon the pressing thereof, to cause the dispensing of a mixture of coffee, cream and sugar, said button may be arranged to simultaneously close the switches 32! and 323 to cause the energization of the relay solenoids 325 and 33! and the clutch solenoids 233and 239.

If, for example, a customer desires a cup of coffee with cream, he may, after insertion of a coinin the coin-receiver 23, press the button 33. The presence of the coin within the ma chine will momentarily close the coin switch 302, as aforesaid, which will immediately energize the master relay solenoid 304 and the measuring cup solenoid I33, the latter of which will close the valve I53 in the liquid measuring-cup 89. When the customer presses the button 33, the switch 32! will :be closed to complete the circuit to the relay solenoid 325 and the clutch solenoid 238. The latter solenoid will pivot the corresponding arm 244 on the pin 242 and will cause the clutch member 243 to slide to the right (as viewed in Fig. 8) toward the ejector arm 254, which will cause the clutch pin on the clutch member to enter the opening 255 therefor in said ejector arm. The energization of the relay. solenoid 325 will cause the switch 328 to close. Closing of the switch 326 will, by means of a fiber post 328' suspended from one leaf thereof, cause the switch 3I6 to be open. Although the'switch 3H5 will thus be opened, a holding circuit to the re lay solenoid 325 and the clutch solenoid 238 will remain closed through the closed switch 326 which completes said holding circuit through a line 335 extending from the line 324 to one side of said switch and through a line 336 which extends from the other side of said switch to a line 331, the latter of "which extends'to one side-of a'normally closed circuit lock-in switch 338 which is disposed between the latter line and a line 339 connected to the secondary lead line 3II.- Itwill thus be seen that although the switch 32! will be but momentarily closed by the operation of the button 33 to initially energize the relay solenoid 325 and the clutch solenoid 238, said. solenoids will thereafter remainienergized until the circuit lock-in switch 338' is opened in a manner hereinafter described. A switch 340, also .operatable by the relay solenoid 325, will be closed simultaneously with the switch 326 and will complete a circuit from the line 3I5 through a line 34! and a line 342, to a center leafof the float-operated switch lfil. One side of the latter switch is normally closed (as shown in Fig. '17), and through said side a circuit is completed through a line 343 to one side of the solenoid 8'! of the solenoid valve 81.

The other side of said solenoid may be connected to the line 333. It will thus be apparent that. upon theenergization of the relay solenoid 325, the solenoids 238 and 8'! will be energized simultaneously, the latter to open the valve 8'! and allow water to flow. therethrough into the measuring cup 89 in which the valve I55 will have been previously closed by theenergization of the measuring cup solenoid I39, as hereinbefore described.

When the level of the water in the measuring cup has been raised sufficiently to carry the float I5! upwardly to raise the bushing I58 and thus movethe operating leaf I62 on the switch I6I, the normally closed side of the switch will be opened and the other side will be closed to complete a circuit to the one side of the electric motor I I0 through a line 344. The other side of the motor may be connected to the lead line by means of a line 345. Upon the opening of the normally closed side of the switch I6! the circuit to the solenoid 8'! will, of course, be broken and as a result thereof the valve 8! will be immediately closed to stop the flow of water into the measuring cup 89. By the closing of the other side of the switch 5!, however, the motor I I 0 will be immediately put into operation to rotate the shaft I'! I in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 1'7. Said shaft has mountedthereon, in addition to the cams 224 and 225 previously described, a cam 346 which, just before the completion of one revolution thereof, will open momentarily the switch 338. Also mounted upon the shaft III (see Fig. 17) are cams 34! and 348 which operate, respectively, to close switches 349 and 350, the purposes of which switches will be hereinafter described.

As the motor I I0 begins to turn the shaft III, the cams 224 and 225thereon will cause the reciprocation of the bar 221 and, by means heretofore described, will thereby cause reciprocal rotation of the shaft 232. Upon the initial movement of the shaft 232 the normally closed side of the master relay switch 289 will be opened to break the holding circuit, comprising the line 3I2 and the switch 309, maintaining the energization of the master relay solenoid 304 and the measuring cup solenoid I39. Upon the de-energization of the solenoid I39, the spring I80 in the measuring cup assembly will immediately cause the valve 156 to be raised from the seat I and allow the measured contents of the cup 89 to flow downwardly through the pipe I86 into the mixing trough I'IO.

With the opening of the normally closed side of the master relay switch 289, the other side thereof will simultaneously be closed to complete a circuit, through connecting lines 35I and 352, to one side of the solenoid I25 and to one side of a spout'shutter timing-control motor 353. The other side of the solenoid I25 may be'connected to the line 301 and the other side of the timing motor 353 may be connected to the lead line 36 by means of a line 354. Upon the energization of said timing motor 353, a cam 355 on a shaft 353, driven by said motor, may close aswitch 351. One side of the switch 351 may be connected to the secondary lead line 3 by means of a line 358 and the other side of the switch 351 may be connected to the line 352. It will thus be seen that the initial rotation of the cam 355 by the timing motor 353 willclose the switch 351 and complete a holding circuit to the timing motor 353 and the solenoid I25. In thereturn reciprocal rotational movement of the shaft 232, the

master relay switch 289 will be returned to its The switch 351, however, will maintain the holding circuit to gization of the solenoid I39 andthe consequent said timing motor and said solenoid until the shaft 355 and the cam 355 thereon have been rotated through one complete revolution. In practice, the shaft 355 is driven by the timing motor 353 through a set of speed reducing gears (not shown). By the use of the timing motor, the switch 351 and the holding circuit, the slide I21, operated by the solenoid I25, may be moved to one side of its normally obstructing position over the opening I24 in the back wall I2Il of the vending stage until after all of the liquid released from the measuring cup 89 into the mixing trough I10 has flowed downwardly through a the latter and has been discharged from the lower end of the discharge. pipe I82.

As the bar 221 is moved through one cycle of up and down reciprocation by the cams of 224 and 225, the shaft 232 will be rotationally recipro cated by means of the bifurcated rocker member 236 which is fixed to the shaft 232 and moved by the bar 221, as aforesaid. As above described, the

normally closed side of the master relay switch 289 .will be opened and the normally opened side of said switch will be closed in the initial re ciprocal rotation of the shaft 232. The ejector arm 254 will at the same time be pivoted to draw r the plunger rod 26! to the right (as viewed in" Fig. 6), and thus to similarly move the plunger 265. Being so moved, the extremity of the plunger 255 will be withdrawn from its normal position in the discharge opening in the side of I the well 2H6 below the hop er 2H3. At this time the cam 34'! on the shaft III will have been rotated sufiiciently to close the switch 343 and this close a circuit to one side of the solenoid 215 and the solenoid I 39, said circuit comprising: a line SEQ-extending from the secondary lead line an to one side of the switch s49. anda line eel extending from the other side of the switch 349 to the solenoid use and 275. The other. sides of the solenoids I99 and 215 may besuitably connected to the lead line as! (as illustrated in 18 evacuate air or steam which may have accumulated 1 within the interior of the cabinet. The

.energization of the solenoid 215, on the other.

hand, will pivot the bell-crank 218 on its mounting pin 211 and will cause the upper arm of said bell-crank to move against the pin 285 on the slide 289 to overcome the tension of the spring 281 and thus move said slide'forwardly, causing the brackets 233 thereon to contact the actuating pins 234 on the dispensing doors 210 to cause the latter to be pivotedto the open position in a line 332 to the motor III). By the closing of the latter switch it will be seen that a circuit to the motor I I II will be maintained even though the original circuit thereto, which was initially completed by the closing of the normally open side of the float-operated. switch IIiI, will have been interrupted immediately upon the de-eneropening of the valve I55 in the measuring cup 89.

Continued rotation of the shaft I II will cause the shaft-232 to complete its reciprocal rotational cycle and pivotally return the ejector arm 253 to its normal position shown in the drawings; and

in so doing will return the plunger 2.65 to .its

normal position with the end thereof disposed in closing'position in the discharge opening in the sideof the'well 2H5. In this return movement of said plunger, a predetermined amount of the mixture of powdered coifee and dehydrated cream in the hopper 219 and in the well 2I8 will be ejected, by said plunger through the'opening in the well, to drop. downwardly through the opening 213 in the plate, I01 and .into the water which at that time will be flowing downwardly across the inclined floor of the mixing trough I13. In the'movement of the water through the trough the mixture of the coffee and cream will be dissolved in said water'and the mixed beverage will bedischarged from the lower end of the discharge pipe' I82 through the opening I24 inthe rear wall I20 of the vending stageand into a cup -I I4 which will have been positioned on the vending-stage bythe cup dispensing mechanism upon the initial energization of the motor I II].

As the shaft III completes one rotation and the plunger 2B5 returns to' its normal position, closing the metering opening in the well 2I8, as aforesaid, the master relay switch 289, in the return rotation'of the shaft .232, will be returned to its normal condition (as shown'inFig. 11). Upon completion of the return movement of the shaft 232, the switch 338 will be opened ,momentarily by the cam 336 to break the holding circuit to the relay solenoid 325 and to the clutch solenoid 23B. De-energization of the clutch solenoid 238 will permitthe tension springx245 'to'pivot the arm 2% to its normal position and thereby withdraw the clutch pin 25I from the cpening255 in the ejector arm 254.: Atappro ri- 'mately the'same time, the earn 351 on the shaft III will have been rotated sumciently to again,

open the switch 349 to interruptthe circuit to the solenoids I99 and 215 thereby causing the gate I98 to be returned toiits normal position wherein the blower I35 will resume'the evacua tion'of moisture, air-and steamer the like, from the interior of the mixing trough I13. The de- 'energization of the solenoid- 21-5, on the other 

